Don’t Be Fooled By Its Size: Apollo MSR-2 mmWave Multisensor

Review of the MSR-2 mmWave Multisensor for Home Assistant, including the features, accessories, setup, and recommendations.
Device provided by Apollo Automation for review.
🍿 WATCH NEXT
• You Need THIS for Reli...
🧑‍💻 FEATURED TECH
Apollo Automation MSR-2 mmWave Multisensor: apolloautomation.com/d7dsgr
Purchasing from this link doesn't cost you any more, and helps support this channel.
🔗 LINKS
Video article: www.michaelsleen.com/msr-2/
👏 THANK YOU
You can support this channel using any of the links below. This helps bring more, high quality tech reviews and tutorials that help you become more productive.
Channel Membership: / @michaelsleen
Patreon: / michaelsleen
Buy Me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/michaelsleen
Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/michaelsleen
PayPal: www.paypal.com/paypalme/micha...
Shop: Some of these are affiliate links, which give me a kickback and help support the channel.
🎬 FILMING
Camera - iPhone 15 Pro Max: amzn.to/3tAyAbZ
Mic (Wired) - Rode VideoMic GO II: amzn.to/3vnpgc1
Mic (Wireless) - Hollyland Lark M2: amzn.to/3wlbmYF
Desk Mount - Elgato Master Mount L: amzn.to/3wbGKZH
Desk Mount for Top-Down Camera - Elgato Flex Arm L: amzn.to/4a7pG4I
Desk Mount for Prompter and Talking Head Camera - Elgato Solid Arm: amzn.to/3UqrQ9N
Desk Mount for Light - ULANZI Camera Desk Mount Stand: amzn.to/41LmM3l
Light - RALENO LED Soft Light: amzn.to/48v3Ho6
Tripod - Peak Design Travel Tripod (Carbon Fiber): amzn.to/3vExGfi
Mini Tripod - Peak Design Mobile Tripod: amzn.to/48zoIOI
Gimbal - Hohem iSteady M6 Gimbal for Smartphone - amzn.to/3Wqi0r6
Gimbal - Hohem AI Tracking Sensor - amzn.to/3y85bYv
Headphone Hanger Mount - EURPMASK: amzn.to/3Swl4i4
Headphones - Sony WH-1000XM5: amzn.to/3I8Hm4z
Laptop - 2023 14" MacBook Pro, M3 Pro, 18GB Memory, 1TB SSD: amzn.to/48sKBzi
Video Editing - DaVinci Resolve (Free Version): tinyurl.com/3hksxnxx
Some of these are affiliate links, which give me a kickback and help support the channel. 😜
👤 ABOUT ME
I'm Michael Leen, a lifelong tech enthusiast in the United States who believes technology is a tool that should help - not hinder - our productivity. I produce weekly video content on KZbin spanning smart home automation, mobile devices, and other tech tools to help us lead more productive lives.
🎵 MUSIC CREDIT
Song: Buddha by Kontekst / kontekstmusic
Creative Commons - Attribution 3.0 Unported- CC BY 3.0
Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/2Pe7mBN
📘 CHAPTERS
00:00 - Introduction
00:43 - Features
02:53 - Accessories
03:53 - Setup
05:10 - Use cases
06:04 - What I like
07:12 - What to improve
08:33 - Final thoughts
09:36 - Outtakes

[@michaelsleen]

👉 Let me know how you’re using mmWave for presence detection, and how you think this sensor stacks up.

[@ApolloAutomation]

What an informative and practical video! We really appreciate you demonstrating how to use the device, how you utilize it in your home, and your suggestions for improvement. As a community-driven company, this guidance helps us focus on what we should do next. Thanks again, and we can't wait for the next one! Best, Justin Apollo Automation

[@ThamerJO]

Thank you for your this informative video

[@michaelsleen]

Glad it was helpful!

[@DrZhenya]

Thanks for the video, I subscribed :-) How does this compare to the Aqara fp2? doesnt it needs to be 1.5-1.8m high to operate well? I dont know any wall plugs located that high that you can attach the direct wall plug to it and keep it low to work well?

[@michaelsleen]

Thanks! I have not yet tested the FP2, but I know others have found it less accurate or reliable than similar sensors from Apollo Automation or Everything Smart Technology, both of which I recommend. For best results, you typically do want to place it about 6 feet above the ground. However, this is not always practical. I have such sensors all over my house, and either mount them on top of a window shade with the wire hidden by curtains, or I place them on a nightstand or similar surface.

[@DrZhenya]

@@michaelsleen Thank you for your answer! Ill check it out!

[@Josifbg]

No tech. information on their website for covered distances or angles

[@Bunton33]

Great question! You can find tihs information on our Apollo Automation Wiki page (Cannot link because comment will get deleted). The detection cone is -60 to 60 degrees and can detect up to 5-6m/~18-19ft. Best, Justin Apollo Automation

[@michaelsleen]

Thanks for sharing those details, Justin!

[@markgrant7035]

I agree with you on automation possibilities with a multi sensor. I prefer a clean look and have purchased multi sensors that are in ceiling and use AC power. I have moved away from adding more 2.4 GHz WiFi devices and going forward using Zigbee to avoid AP device overload. Having near 150 WiFi devices I have spread the load across 3 Unique AP on their own discrete Channel without interference from neighboring AP’s. To add these multi sensors in all rooms and walkways/hallways is the plan. Current usage of the ones I have in the bedrooms, office and family room automation detect where we are and use temperature / humidity control where to heat / cool the rooms we occupy. This has achieved making our home very comfortable. It has single-handedly stopped the family squabble over changing the thermostat. Bottom line this multi sensor needs 3 things: 1. Zigbee 2. PIR 3. In-Ceiling mount.

[@michaelsleen]

Mitigating the family squabble over the thermostat is a huge victory. Thanks for sharing your experience. What sensor are you using that combines mmWave + PIR + Zigbee + ceiling mount?

[@markgrant7035]

@@michaelsleen I have been using Aeotec MultiSensor 7, 6-in-1 Zwave with the ceiling recessed option kit. It is very premium fit and finish. The price is holding me back from putting it every where in the house. I have been using data from other sensors to help (lol) just make more complex automations. The Kidde smoke, co2 and air quality detectors (WiFi hardwired) provides data. Ecobee sensors in 5 rooms of the house have sensors. I have purchased a couple ZY-M100-W from AliBaba for $12.00 they Zigbee 24G mmWave with Luminance. I have one the the Laundry so it turns on the light and after 5 seconds after someone leaves it turns off.

[@markgrant7035]

Forgot to mention in the laundry I replaced the exhaust fan / light that has humidity control. This is great as my wife and daughter constantly leave the exhaust fan running all day. Now I have it set to go on at 70% humidity.

[@exhstbearing]

@@michaelsleen MOES has an In-ceiling sensor that is zigbee and does PIR and MM wave. It’s connected to Tuya which has made me apprehensive to try it.

[@michaelsleen]

@markgrant7035 Thanks for clarifying. Looks like it's a variety of sensors. Controlling the exhaust fan using a humidity sensor is nice.

[@BenvanBroekhuijsen]

1:03 how do these measurements make any sense to anyone? Do you Americans really find it easy to work with 9/16 of an inch etc.? In human measurements it is 3.97 x 2.38 x 1.43 cm or simpler said 4 x 2.4 x 1.4 cm

[@michaelsleen]

Americans prefer a system of weights and measures that cannot be understood by anyone, including Americans.

[@derpeter]

50€ for EU customers 😮

[@michaelsleen]

That's a bummer, though if that price includes shipping it'd be decent.

[@Bunton33]

We are based in Lexington, KY USA and have been working on improving our international customers experience. We have two European distributors, Open-Circuit and Domo-Supply, and we offer free shipping on international orders over $200. Also, we are currently talking with 3PL companies to help us offer more competitive pricing and shipping. We are happy to answer any questions! Best, Justin Apollo Automation

[@OzDrizzleDrizzle]

Love the size and features. Shame about the janky home printed case and disco lights. We need to move away from these nasty 3dp cases - look like a diy esp32 project. Fine for a proto POC, not a commercial product. I’d want a sensor to be invisible and blend into my homes aesthetics.

[@michaelsleen]

It does not have the same look or feel as an injection mold case, but it does seem strong and well made. Using the RGB lights is optional, otherwise you never see them. An ongoing struggle is how to balance the functionality of smart home sensors with the aesthetic of your home's interior design. Thanks for watching!